Na ASE/PSF Combined Research Grant Application Guidelines and Eligibility Submission Deadline: Monday, December 3 rd, 2018 Eligibility Applicants must be a MD, DO, or PhD hold a full-time clinical or research position in a U.S. or Canadian Institution where the research will be conducted be an Active ASE member or have a Co-PI who is an Active member of ASE o If you are not an Active ASE member or do not have a Co-PI, you must obtain a Sponsor letter from o an Active ASE member at your institution If you are currently in your training, you must obtain a Sponsor letter from an Active ASE member at your institution (highly encouraged but not required) have an Active or Candidate member of ASPS within their key personnel on your application Grant Description: The Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) and the Association for Surgical Education (ASE) recognize the importance of fostering the development of surgeon scientists that yield improvements in patient care in surgery. The ASE/PSF Combined Research Grant is intended to fund a research project that will advance the scientific knowledge and aim to develop and validate new methods of surgical care. Research projects that focus on surgical education and training in the area of plastic surgery are encouraged. This grant supports the preliminary or pilot phase of these research projects. Award Amount: Up to $15,000 Project Duration: 12 months Earliest Start Date: July 1, 2019 Award Announcements: May 2019 Reporting: Progress reports (technical and financial) are due at six (6) months and final reports (technical and financial) are due at twelve (12) months. Details on reporting requirements will be sent to the PI once awarded. The PSF is dedicated to fostering the growth of research in Plastic Surgery. In order to ensure The PSF is successful in building a diverse, committed, inclusive, and self-sustaining plastic surgery research community, applications may also be evaluated on whether the PI is currently funded by The PSF, the PI has an open no cost extension by The PSF, or whether there are multiple grant submissions from the same lab at the same institution. Preparing to Apply Online Application: All Applications must be submitted online through proposalcentral. (proposalcentral.altum.com) Deadline: Grants must be submitted in proposalcentral by 11:59 P.M. (EASTERN) on or before the deadline. NO late submissions will be accepted. Corrections of oversights/errors discovered after the deadline will not be allowed. Page 1 of 6
Multiple Submissions: Applicants may submit more than one grant application ONLY if they are scientifically different, but only one research project may be funded. Grant Writing Module: All applicants who have not been previously funded by The PSF must complete The PSF s Grant Writing Module. For ASPS Members, log on to the PSEN Research and Technology page here: http://www.psenetwork.org/research-technology and complete the free Grant Writing module by Ergun Kocak, MD. For Non-ASPS Members click here: (http://www.thepsf.org/documents/grantwriting/story.html). Only the Applicant needs to complete the Module. Upon completion, print the final screen showing your completion of the Module or sign the Grant Writing Module Certificate found in proposalcentral templates. Upload either document into the Research Plan & Other Attachments section in proposalcentral. Templates: Budget & Budget Justification, Biosketch, Other Support, Resources and Grant Writing Module Certificate templates are provided on the Research Plan & Other Attachments section in proposalcentral. Deliverables Check List with Page Limits Information Entered Directly into proposalcentral Project Summary Impact Statement Biography (2,500 characters max, including spaces) (800 characters max, including spaces) (1,500 characters max, including spaces) Documents to Upload- Page Limits will be Strictly Enforced Signed Face Page Cover Letter for Resubmissions* Budget Budget Justification 2 PAGES Biographical Sketch 5 PAGES each Other Support Resources Research Plan: Specific Aims 1 PAGE Research Strategy 6 PAGES Human Subjects 1 PAGE Vertebrate Animals 1 PAGE Literature Cited NO LIMIT Leadership Plan 1/2 PAGE Consortium/Contracts* IRB /IACUC Approval Documentation* Sponsor Letter* Letters of Support* Grant Writing Module* Appendix* NO LIMIT (Please upload each section separately) (Tables/ figures must be included within page limit) (Required within 90 days of award notification) (Upload any/all images as Appendix items) * Submit if applicable all other documentation is required Formatting Requirements: The minimum acceptable font size is 11 (Arial or Helvetica; no condensed fonts). The maximum number of lines per inch is 6; DO NOT PACK LINES BY SETTING LINE SPACING AT EXACTLY. Page 2 of 6
Use at least one-half inch margins (top, bottom, left and right) for all pages, including continuation pages. Key Personnel Documentation is required from the following personnel Personnel Role Description Biosketch Other Support PI (Applicant) Applies for and writes the grant. Oversees and directs the Multiple-PI Co-PI Co-Investigator Collaborator Sponsor Other Letters of Support research. Shares equal responsibility with PI. Does not need to be from the same institution as the PI. Highly involved in the scientific development or execution of the project. Contributes measurable effort. Does not need to be from the same institution as the PI. Moderately involved in the scientific development or execution of the project. Contributes measurable effort. Typically from the same institution as the PI. Required for non-ase applicants and those in training. Can Sponsor Letter also serve another role on the grant but isn t required to. * * Research Fellows, Research Assistants, Technicians, Paid Consultants, etc. * * * *Not required unless also serving in another role, example: Co-Investigator or Collaborator, then follow those guidelines. Application Deliverables Enter the following information directly into the Project Summary section of your application in proposalcentral. Project Summary: This is the summary description of your research project. In language suitable for the public, please describe the project s broad, long-term objectives and its specific aims. Describe concisely the study design and methods, as well as the rationale, and techniques to be used to achieve the aims. Impact Statement: In language suitable for the general public, describe the potential of real, clinical impact this research is likely to have on the practice of plastic surgery. Biography: In language suitable for the general public, please include a professional biography. Upload these deliverables in the Research Plan & Other Attachments section of your application in proposalcentral. Face /Signature Page: After completing your application in proposalcentral, you will need to print your Face Page (Signature page) to obtain your institutional signatures. Once you obtain all signatures, please convert your Face Page to PDF and upload to your application in proposalcentral. Please plan accordingly as obtaining the appropriate signatures may take time. Your grant submission will not be reviewed without institutional sign off. Budget: Complete all sections of the budget template following these limitations: Budgets can NOT include: indirect costs, administrative costs, travel, publications costs, or capital equipment*. o *Capital Equipment is defined as any asset having a useful life of more than one year. Examples include but are not limited to (laptop computers, ipads, software, cameras, cryogenic systems, incubators, dry boxes, cell counters, etc.) Budgets can NOT include salary support for PI, Co-PI, Co-Investigators, or Collaborators. Page 3 of 6
Page 4 of 6 Budgets CAN include salary for research assistants and lab technicians who are not also serving in other key personnel roles (see Key Personnel Chart above). Budget Justification (2 PAGES): Please clarify and describe the purpose and need for each item listed on the Budget page, i.e., Personnel, Consultant Costs, Supplies, etc. Under Personnel, roles for each person should match what you ve entered into proposalcentral. For a study that requires more resources than this grant provides, please describe any institutional or other support you have. Biographical Sketch (5 PAGES): Submit an NIH bio-sketch for those directly involved with the project (see chart above for required personnel). Expand the space for educational training if necessary. If you are omitting publications due to space limitations, include the statement: The following publications were selected from among a total of (#). DO NOT include publications in preparation on this list. List selected ongoing or completed (during the last three years) research projects. Begin with the projects that are most relevant to the research proposed in this application. Include the project number, dates, source of funds, project title, your role in the project and briefly indicate the overall goals of the research project. Do not list award amounts or percent effort in projects. See example provided within the proposalcentral Templates page. Other Support: Please provide information on all active or pending support from any source (see chart above for required personnel). Include the project number, dates, source of funds, project title, award amounts, percent of effort in months, and briefly indicate the overall goals of the research project. Indicate and explain any scientific or budgetary overlap between funding, and other overarching projects. For individuals with no active or pending support, please indicate NONE. See example provided within the proposalcentral Templates page. Resources: Limit the description of resources available to those identified on the form. Upload each section of the Research Plan as separate PDFs into proposalcentral even if you are indicating N/A. Research Plan (A - G) A. Specific Aims (1 PAGE): This section should include a brief introductory paragraph. The introduction should give a brief overview of the project and state its significance and central hypothesis. Each Specific Aim shall be comprised of a title, rationale and hypothesis. B. Research Strategy (6 PAGES): Organize the Research Strategy in the specified order and using the instructions provided below. Start each section with the appropriate section heading - Significance, Innovation, Approach. Cite published experimental details in this section and provide the full reference in the Literature Cited section. Tables and Figures should be included within the text of this section. Significance Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress or gap in knowledge in the field that the proposed project addresses. Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields. Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved. Innovation Explain how the application challenges current research or clinical practice paradigms. Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions to be developed or used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions. Approach Discuss the PI s preliminary studies, data, and/or experience pertinent to this application. Provide detailed plans for analysis including statistical methods, control and experimental groups, as well as expected outcomes
Page 5 of 6 Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted as well as any resource sharing plans as appropriate. Please make sure to include discussion of your sample size justification and your power calculations, if applicable. Cite relevant publications to support your approach. Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims. Provide detailed pitfalls and alternative strategies. Consider and discuss how negative data will be used or interpreted. If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility, and address the management of any high-risk aspects of the proposed work. Point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and precautions to be exercised. State how the findings from this study will inform the next stage of research. State expected outcomes and any potential limitations/obstacles to obtaining results. C. Human Subjects (1 PAGE): If applicable, briefly summarize the use of human subjects, including specific references to adherence of accepted standards, and documentation of the project s review by an appropriate IRB or hospital ethics board. This includes Protection of Human Subjects, Inclusion of Women and Minorities, Inclusion of Children, and Targeted/Planned Enrollment Tables for Race and Ethnicity. Do not include the entire IRB application. In addition, if available include copies of all Approval Letters from the appropriate IRB Board(s), including BioSafety and/or Radiation Safety (if applicable). Indicate N/A if you are not using Human Subjects within your research. D. Vertebrate Animals (1 PAGE): If applicable, briefly summarize the use of animals in scientific research, including specific reference to adherence to accepted standards (e.g. NIH publication No. 86 23). In addition, if available upload the documentation of the project s review by the appropriate institutional committee, including BioSafety and/or Radiation Safety. Indicate N/A if you are not using Vertebrate Animals within your research. E. Literature Cited: Please list all references in order of occurrence of their first mention in your proposal, in number or superscripted form. F. Leadership Plan (1/2 PAGE): For applications proposing multiple PIs, or the Applicant has an ASE Sponsor, a leadership plan is required. The governance and organizational structure should be described, including communication plans and procedures for resolving conflicts. The shared administrative, technical and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PIs. Indicate N/A if you are not required to submit a leadership plan. G. Consortium and Contractual Agreements: If applicable, describe all research relationships required for this project carefully. Indicate N/A if this is not required. IRB/IACUC: Institutional IRB/IACUC approval letters must be on file in The PSF Executive Offices within ninety (90) days of written notification of the Award. If the approval is not on file within the ninety (90) day time frame, the Award will be rescinded by The PSF. All annual renewals of IRB/IACUC approvals must be sent to The PSF Executive Offices within thirty (30) days of receiving such renewal. Sponsor Letter: If the applicant is in training or is not an Active ASE member, an original letter from an Active ASE Member Sponsor must be submitted (see chart above for requirements). This letter must verify that the Applicant will be present and fully available to carry out the proposed work during the allotted time period. Applicants, for which this eligibility requirement is not met, will not have their application reviewed. Letters of Support: All Co-PIs, Co-Investigators and Collaborators must submit an original Letter of Support for their involvement in your research project (see chart above for required personnel). Letters of Support are addressed to the applicant and should describe the Co-PI/Co-Investigator/Collaborator s credibility, intended contribution, role,
commitment, and provide support for the work being proposed. If the Sponsor is also serving as a Co-PI, Co- Investigator or Collaborator, then the Sponsor Letter and Letter of Support can be combined. The Sponsor should indicate that they are also serving as a Co-PI, Co-Investigator or Collaborator for the project. A separate letter from each Co-PI/ Co-Investigator/ Collaborator is required. Special Situations and Agreements Resubmissions: In addition to resubmitting all required application documents, resubmissions must be accompanied by a cover letter that summarizes the substantial additions, deletions or changes to the application. If you were provided a summary statement from your previous review, please also include a point-by-point discussion of the issues raised in your summary statement critiques. Please upload your Cover Letter in the Research Plan & Other Attachments section of your application in proposalcentral. Note: Only those resubmitting a grant application must upload a Cover Letter. No-cost extensions: Written requests for extensions must be received ninety (90) days before the expiration of the original grant period and are subject to approval by the Chair of The PSF Research Grants Committee. An approval of an extension DOES NOT include the award of additional funds. In addition, the Principal Investigator must provide The PSF with additional progress reports (technical and financial) six (6) months and twelve (12) months past the original project end date. Additional Funding: The Principal Investigator may apply for additional funding. Those who want to expand upon their project at the end of the original time period will need to re-apply for additional funding. Transferring Institutions: This grant is NOT transferable to another individual within the Institution and NOT transferable to another institution OR to operating funds. If the Principal Investigator or Sponsor leaves the Institution, the Principal Investigator, Sponsor and the Institution must notify The PSF within thirty (30) days and all unused funds MUST be returned. Presentation of Research: The ASE will ensure that the results of all research funded via this grant mechanism be submitted for presentation at the ASE Annual Meeting. Budget Changes: A certain degree of latitude to re-budget within and between budget categories to meet unanticipated needs is allowable. If your expenses fall outside of your original approved budget categories by a degree of more than 10% of your total award, prior written approval will be required, along with a revised budget and a justification for why the changes are necessary to complete your project. In addition, inclusion of any budget category that was not included in the original approved budget must also be approved by The PSF. All reallocation requests are subject to the current grant guidelines and must be approved by The PSF. Page 6 of 6